Lawmakers’ defection no threat to our victory, says Yilwatda
• Opposition fishing from the same pond • APC clears Tinubu The All Progressives Congress (APC) is not threatened by the defection of some federal lawmakers to the Nigeria Democratic
• Opposition fishing from the same pond
• APC clears Tinubu
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is not threatened by the defection of some federal lawmakers to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda said yesterday.
He said the ruling party remains the best platform for the country, stressing that the NDC and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are “fishing from the same pond.”
Yilwatda spoke at the APC National Secretariat after inspecting the sale and submission of nomination forms by aspirants for various elective offices.
Yesterday, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling party approved a screening waiver for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The clearance followed the President’s endorsement for a second term last year by key party organs, including the NWC, the National Assembly Caucus, the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and state chapters.
READ ALSO: Nigerian workers back Tinubu’s second term bid
Yilwatda described the APC as an “unstoppable beehive of activities,” saying the defections and internal bickering within opposition parties are mere “distractions in a different pond.”
But ADC National Caretaker Chairman Senator David Mark said the party was ready to confront the ruling party at the polls.
Yilwatda expressed delight at the massive turnout of aspirants, noting that the crowd is a testament to the party’s grassroots acceptance.
He insisted that the APC is strong and formidable, adding that defections from one opposition party to another cannot cause the ruling party sleepless nights.
He said the defection of three senators and 17 House of Representatives members to the NDC was not a shocker, adding that the figure is statistically insignificant.
Yilwatda said: “What do you call a shocker? You said 17 lawmakers out of over 400 - about 459. Seventeen out of 459 is less than five per cent. Should I be worried about that? I am not worried.
“None of those defecting is from our party. They are only fishing from the same pond. If someone defects from ADC to another NDC opposition party, how does that affect APC?”
The chairman alluded to friction within opposition ranks, saying their leaders have resorted to “insulting themselves” rather than preparing for the polls.
He added: “Just yesterday, I listened to the fight between opposition leaders; they are breaking into pieces, and I’m sure they will blame us for their internal crisis.
“Nigerians are seeing that the fight is not APC versus opposition; it is opposition versus opposition.
“One group is calling another corrupt, while another group says some people cannot withstand competition.”
Yilwatda noted that the level of interest in APC tickets across the six geopolitical zones confirmed that Nigerians are satisfied with the party’s direction.
He said: “As you can see, this place is a beehive of activities, and it shows the acceptance of our party across the country. All the political zones are busy. People are here in their numbers, in their droves, trying to submit their forms.
“Nigerians are happy with what APC is doing. They love the party, they accept the party, and the party cuts across all the geo-political zones.”
But the chairman ruled out further extension of the sale of forms, citing the strict timelines in the Electoral Act.
He said: “We are time-bound. We would have loved to extend it, but the Electoral Act also limits the timeline we have to conduct our primaries.
“We want to give ourselves some time so that we don’t fall into any trap in any form.”
Yilwatda emphasised the party’s willingness to allow open competition, even against high-ranking incumbents, as a badge of democratic honour.
He said: “We opened up our party. Everyone is buying forms, including the presidential ticket. We have a sitting President, yet people are buying forms to contest against him. We allowed it.
“Sitting governors are being challenged; senators are being challenged. Even the Senate President and the Speaker are being challenged. The level of democracy in APC is second to none.”
Yilwatda assured aspirants of a seamless screening process, saying the “dominance and mobilisation” seen at the secretariat are early signs of a landslide victory for the APC in next year’s elections.
Tinubu gets screening waiver
Explaining the screening waiver granted to the President, National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said Tinubu would participate in the primary without physically appearing before the screening committee.
He said in a statement that President Tinubu is “duly screened,” adding that enforcing the requirement for physical appearance is unnecessary.
Morka said: “As the incumbent President and leader of our great party, having been duly screened and cleared ahead of the 2022 presidential primaries, requiring his physical appearance before a screening committee at this time would be redundant and unnecessary.”
The NWC invoked its powers under Article 13.4 (xiii) and (xiv) of the APC Constitution, which grants the leadership authority to organise primaries and, in “special circumstances,” grant waivers in the party’s best interest.
Morka said the waiver reflects the “overwhelming endorsement and vote of confidence” passed by critical organs of the party.
By granting the waiver, the APC leadership aims to streamline the primary for the President, who has already received the backing of 22 governors and the party’s legislative caucus.
The waiver effectively cements President Tinubu’s position as the frontrunner for the ticket as the party moves to consolidate its “Renewed Hope” agenda ahead of the next electoral cycle.
ADC ready for polls, says Mark
Mark dismissed the gale of defections, saying the ADC would sponsor candidates capable of winning elections.
He spoke on the heels of Aisha Yesufu’s defection to the NDC.
Mark, who held a meeting with the Forum of ADC former federal lawmakers at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, said the current challenges would strengthen the party ahead of future contests.
He said: “We must close our ranks and avoid issues of factionalisation. Our opponents are bringing renegades as one-man factions. We shall overcome all their shenanigans.
“Nigerians are already with us, and we all need to be on board. That is why I urge us all to work together and succeed together.”
The ADC chairman also spoke on the exit of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso from the party.
He said their departure would not weaken the ADC, but rather strengthen its resolve.
Mark stressed: “No doubt, the exit of Obi and Kwankwaso has its impact, but that will spur us to work harder.”
Nentawe YilwatdaYesufu joins NDC, eyes Senate
Announcing her resignation on her X handle, activist Aisha Yesufu cited alignment with Obi and a “deeper understanding” of the country’s future as reasons for leaving the ADC.
She said her earlier move to the ADC was driven by her support for Obi, adding that her switch to the NDC is to “honour the promise” to back him.
Yesufu also disclosed plans to contest the FCT senatorial seat on the platform of the NDC.
She described her exit from the ADC as a “clean transition.”
